Agriculture and Natural Resources

Craig R Andersen Associate Professor and Extension Specialist shyVegetables

Arkansas Is Our Campus

Visit our web site at httpwwwuaexedu

Home Gardening Series

Radishes

Environment

Light ndash sunny Soil ndash wellshydrained loam Fertility ndash rich pH ndash 58 to 72 Temperature ndash cool Moisture ndash moist

Culture

Planting ndash direct seed late winter to late summer

Spacing ndash 2shy4 x 12shy15 inches Hardiness ndash cool season hardy Fertilizer ndash medium

Radishes ndash RSphSnus sStivus

Radishes have been cultivated for over 2000 years but are still close to their ancestral type often reverting to a form with a dry woody root There is no doubt the species is indigenous in the temperate regions of the Old World It has been cultivated in gardens from China and Japan to Europe since earliest times It is difficult to pinpoint its specific place of origin Radishes are grown all over the world today and are highly esteemed because of their pungent flavor

Radish a member of the crucifer family is a coolshyseason fastshymaturing easyshytoshygrow vegetable Garden radishes can be grown wherever there is sun even on the smallest city lot They usually grow best in the spring

FSA6075

but some lateshymaturing varieties can be planted for summer use Winter radishes are slower to develop than spring radishes but they grow considerably larger remain crisp longer and are usually more pungent

Cultural Practices

Planting Time

Plant spring radishes from late winter to midshyspring Make successive plantings of short rows every 10 to 14 days Spring radishes can also be planted in late winter in a protected cold frame window box or container in the house or on the patio Lateshymaturing varieties usually withstand heat better than the earlyshymaturing varieties and are recommended for late spring planting for summer harvest Winter radishes require a much longer time to mature than spring radishes and are planted at the same time as late turnips

University of Arkansas United States Department of Agriculture and County Governments Cooperating

Cultivarsshy

Crop Cultivar Days to Maturity

Seed Per 100 Feet of Row Remarks

Spring and Fall Radishes

Cherry Belle 25 1 ounce 1949 AAS winner Round scarlet roots best in cool weather

Easter Egg Blend II 30 1 ounce Blend of white purple and red round radishes

China Rose 55 1 ounce Chinese heirloom oblong roots roseshycolored skin and flesh

French Breakfast or DrsquoAvigon

22 1 ounce French heirloom oblong roots with red top white tip and flesh

Summer Radishes

April Cross Hybrid 60 1 ounce Daikon type sow midsummer for fall harvest slow to bolt

Champion 28 1 ounce Round red radish early or late plantings

White Icicle 30 1 ounce Long white radish with a short top

Abbreviation AAS AllshyAmerica Selectionsreg

Spacing and Depth of Planting

Sow seed 14 to 12 inch deep Thin spring varieties to 12 to 1 inch between plants Thin winter radishes to 2 to 4 inches or even farther apart to allow for proper root development

Care

Radishes grow well in almost any soil that is well prepared fertilized before planting and has adequate moisture Slow development makes radishes hot in taste and woody in texture

Harvesting

Pull radishes when they are of usable size (usually 1 to 1 12 inches) and relatively young Radishes remain edible for only a short time before they become pithy (spongy) and hot

Common Problems

Root maggots may tunnel into radishes Apply a suggested soil insecticide before the next planting Flea beetles and aphids may damage the leaves When damage exceeds 10 percent of leaf area apply an approved method of insect control

Frequently Asked Questions

Q What causes my radishes to crack and split A The radishes are too old Pull them when they are

young and small

Q Why do my radishes grow all tops with no root development

A There may be several reasons seed planted too thick and plants not thinned weather too hot for the spring varieties that do best in cool temperashytures and too much shade Radishes will not enlarge properly when forced to mature during temperatures above 80 degrees F

Q What are winter radishes and how do they differ from regular garden radishes

A Winter radish varieties produce large roots which may be round or elongated and white red or black lsquoChina Rosersquo and lsquoRound Black Spanishrsquo are two winter cultivars They require a long season for full growth The roots may be eaten raw with vinegar or cooked like turnips The flavor of winter radishes is usually pungent and the texture more fibrous and less crisp than common garden radishes

Q Sometimes my radishes have a hot bitter flavor What is the problem

A Offshyflavored radishes are caused by planting at the wrong time or poor cultural practices such as low fertility or low moisture resulting in slow growth For highest quality radishes should grow fast Maintain adequate fertility and good soil moisture conditions to encourage fast growth Radishes that are too old taste hot

Printed by University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Printing Services

DR CRAIG R ANDERSEN is associate professor and Extension Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work Acts of May 8 and specialist shy vegetables Horticulture Department University of June 30 1914 in cooperation with the US Department of Agriculture Arkansas Division of Agriculture Fayetteville Director Cooperative Extension Service University of Arkansas The

Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race color national origin religion gender age disability marital or veteran status or any other legally protected status

FSA6075shyPDshy6shy11RV and is an Affirmative ActionEqual Opportunity Employer